Support
for women to be more socially active and participate more in social
development programs in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as
well as initiatives to establish a unified Gulf data center for the disabled
and a discussion of ways to better protect children against violence are
among the topics to be discussed at the GCC labor and social affairs
ministers’ meeting tomorrow.
The 24th Labor and Social Affairs Ministers’ Meeting of GCC countries is in
preparation for the upcoming GCC summit to be held in Doha next month under
the auspices of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The Kingdom
is currently the president of the GCC summit.
“The meeting is expected to discuss a report about the implementation of Arab
agendas for supporting disability between 2004-2013,” Social Affairs Minister
Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas said. “In addition, the meeting will highlight the role
of international organizations in the social field and a report on the future
vision in the social sector for GCC states,” he added. Furthermore, he said
the meeting would highlight the role played by non-government social centers
in the Gulf countries.
Regarding Arab accords on the protection of children and women against
domestic violence, the minister said the meeting would discuss a special
report on domestic violence in Gulf countries, its social impact and
problems. Another report on ways to further support women in social
development in the six Gulf countries will also be discussed by the
ministers, Al-Akkas said.
The progress of social development centers in member countries will be
highlighted at the meeting, said Al-Akkas. Employment of locals and
supporting local projects will be another issue to be discussed tomorrow. “We
will discuss the implementation mechanisms for recruitment of domestic
manpower in the six Gulf countries,” the minister said.
Other important topics are the National Project for Employment in the Kingdom
of Bahrain and safety and health issues in the labor sector. Another report
expected to be discussed is on ways to support enterprises in GCC countries.
Dr. Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid, deputy labor minister, said the meeting was
important at a time of regional and international changes that affect the
labor and manpower sector in GCC states.
“We have a duty in coming out with special recommendations that will ease the
way for the ministers’ meeting during their discussions to make the right
decisions,” he said during a meeting of GCC deputy ministers yesterday.
Al-Humaid also called for more training and rehabilitation programs for Gulf
citizens to better prepare them for the requirements of the global labor
market.
The deputy ministers will continue their meeting today and are expected to
come up with a number of recommendations to be submitted to the ministers for
discussion and approval.